Dual-action shoe arch



Oct 18, 1949. K J, mm 2,485,506

DUAL-ACTION SHOE ARCH Filed July 13, 1946 Qluhmfur KHEL J Par/aw Patented Oct. 18, 949

DUAL-ACTION SHOE ARCH Karl J. Patry, Baltimore, Md.

-' 7 Application July 13, 1946, Serial No. 683,499 7 2 Claims. (01. 36-76) This invention refers to footwear and more particularly to the conventional types of shoes or boots.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved type of shoe that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved shoe that will afford support of the arch of the foot of the user, withoutbeing in direct contact theerto, and without reducing the foot space within the shoe.

An additional object of the herein described invention is to provide a new and improved shoe that will afiord a cushion to the ball portion of the foot of the user that will provide comfort to him.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dual action arch support which supports the metatarsal joints and foot arch.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

For a clearer understanding of the invention reference is made to the appended drawings and following description, which together illustrate a particular form of the invention by way of example, while the claims point out the particular scope of the invention. 4

Referring to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view looking at the bottom of the sole of a shoe embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the shoe indicated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail of an arch support in the embodiment, and

Figure 4 is a detail of an arch support shown in Figure 3.

Similar references pertain to similar portions in the various drawings.

A conventional low-cut shoe for a person, has the usual sole H and heel [2 attached to it, with a thin shank section l3 in between. Where the sole terminates at the upwardly curved shank section, exteriorly, there is attached a percussion pad of resilient material which is partly elliptical in peripheral contour.

The pad may be attached by cement, sewed on, or tacked, as may be suitable. This section is preferably in one integral piece but with two operating parts I4 and I5 having a V-like groove IS in between. The piece I5 is bevelled on the side I! towards the heel. The section extends from the sole portion towards the shank, and while its upper surface l8, follows the contour of the shank section l3, its lower surface [9 is horizontal with the bottom surface of the sole' I I. A diaphragm 20 of flexible fabric is preferably used on the upper surface l8 of the pad section to reinforce it and afford'means for attaching it to the shoe and otherwise manipulating it. The rear side I! of the piece I5 is preferably angular to prevent dirt from accumulating thereto.

When a person uses a shoeof this kind, the action of the shoe in walking is one of bending forcibly with the heel rising and the toe portion on the terrain, to start with. Then the heel during the next step, contacts the ground first with the sole following, and following the bending action described previously. The pad section is therefore in operation most of the time during the step, because it is located at approximately the middle. The section, being transversely grooved, acts like a hinge as the heel rises. The section contacts the terrain gently, and prevents the shank from looping down and forcing the foot of the user to bend convexedly. This form of bending of the foot is the basis for a number of foot ailments, that are orthopedically and experimentally treated by employing arch supporters and other mechanical appliances placed within the shoe. The appliances take up room thereby limiting the movements of the foot and by reason of their rigidity weaken and injure the foot structure more. The pad provided by this invention exterior to the shoe, avoids interference with foot expansion, contraction and bending desirable for the proper exercise of the foot, but avoids the excessive stress which the shoe itself can artificially produce, when the shank gives while the toe and heel portions are rigid. The arch of the foot is concavely formed and should retain that shape, but the conventional shoe has a tendency to strain it to a convexed form. The invention prevents this, without preventing the shoe from flexing in a normal manner. As mentioned this device causes the shoe to properly support the metatarsal joints and the foot arch and at the same time allow the shoe and foot to bend readily.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the specifications, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form or in any other way otherwise than limited by the scope thereof, as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be made that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A percussion pad section of the class described comprising a forward portion and a rearward portion integrally connected and having a groove running transversely across the under face thereof affording a hinge between the said portions, the upper face of said portions being shaped to follow the contour of a shoe at the shank thereof for attachment thereto, and said portions having their under face parallel to the sole and heel of the shoe when in place.

2. A percussion pad section of the class described comprising a forward portion and a rearward portion integrally connected and having a groove running transversely across the under face of the pad at the junction of said portions thereby afiording a hinge between said portions, the upper face of said portions being shaped to follow the contour of a shoe at the shank thereof for attachment thereto, said portions having 4 their under face parallel to the sole and heel of the shoe when in place and also having tapered sides from the points of attachment on the shoe, to the under face of said portions.

KARL J. PA'I'RY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'EENTS Great Britain Oct. 6,1942 

